Welcome to Top Cop. The goal of this monthly column is to provide crime data to our military communities throughout U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, to increase awareness, which will aid in crime prevention.

The Directorate of Emergency Services, USAG-HI, uses crime statistics to determine patrol distribution and to maintain safety and security within our communities.

From Oct. 1-14, the Schofield Barracks Provost Marshal Office, or PMO, reported a total of 49 cases for Area of Operations-North.

Seven assault cases took place, which resulted in the apprehension of five service members and four family members. In the above assault cases, four involved the use of alcohol.

A total of nine larcenies took place. Four of the larcenies took place in housing areas; items taken ranged from wallets to the keys for a motorcycle. The remaining five larcenies took place in common areas where the items were unsecured and unattended. The items taken ranged from a cell phone to $600 in cash.

There was one traffic accident, involving injuries that resulted in the hospitalization of a service member and a family member, and three traffic accidents that did not involve injuries. There was one incident of driving under the influence, or DUI, that occurred on Schofield Barracks, which resulted in the apprehension of a service member.

The Fort Shafter PMO reported a total of 35 cases within AOR-South.

There were five larceny cases. Of the larcenies, four were against private property, two in the housing areas and two in public areas. The items taken were a scooter, a bike, an electronic book reader and credit cards. There was also a larceny of government property for an electronic emergency flare. An arrest was made in one larceny; the remaining larceny suspects are still at large.

There were a total of four DUIs that took place. The DUIs resulted in the apprehension of three service members and one civilian.

Larceny

Larceny continues to be a crime of high occurrence, mainly because the items were not properly secured. This instance occurs when someone leaves valuables in a place that can be easily accessed by another person. The best way to ensure that you are not a victim of larceny is to secure your valuables, lock your car, put chains on your bikes and lock the doors to your house and garage.